Mathematics
What is The golden ratio?
The golden ratio (about 1.618) is a special number that appears when a line is divided so the whole relates to the larger part as the larger part relates to the smaller. It shows up in art, architecture, and nature, and is linked to the Fibonacci sequence.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the golden ratio.
Key things to understand
- 1Approximately 1.618, written with the Greek letter phi (φ).
- 2It appears in the Fibonacci sequence as the ratio of consecutive terms.
- 3Found in spiral shells, flower petals, and famous artworks.
- 4Often considered aesthetically pleasing, though that's partly debated.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the golden ratio in simple terms?
- A proportion (~1.618) where the whole relates to the bigger part as the bigger part relates to the smaller.
- Where does the golden ratio appear?
- In sunflower seeds, shells, art, and architecture, and in the Fibonacci sequence.
- Is the golden ratio really everywhere?
- It appears often in nature and design, though some claimed sightings are exaggerated.